Mississauga multicultural radio station CJMR 1320 is set to officially resume its spot on the traditional dial, kicking off signal testing after months operating as a digital-only broadcaster.
The station temporarily pulled its AM broadcast signal in January due to the redevelopment of its former transmitter site. Following the acquisition of a new antenna site, CJMR began testing its technical transmission on the 1320 frequency in August under the oversight of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). That initial mandatory testing period concludes this month
The return to the airwaves coincides with a major ownership transition. Trafalgar Broadcasting Limited—a division of Whiteoaks Communications Group—has agreed to sell the assets of CJMR to Chawla News Network Toronto Inc. for $400,000, pending CRTC approval.
Chawla News Network is owned by Dilbag Chawla, a pioneer in Canadian ethnic broadcasting. The longtime host of “Rangla Punjab” has been a well-known media figure in the region, since CJMR introduced Punjabi and Hindi programming to its lineup in the early 1980s.
Whiteoaks President Matt Caine told Broadcast Dialogue that the Chawlas previously represented the most hours of brokered programming on the station per week.
“We recognize the extraordinary value the Chawla family’s commitment to journalism brings to Mississauga and Canada’s South Asian community,” said Caine. “Through interactive talk radio and community fundraising, they have helped make CJMR ‘The Voice of the City’ for more than 50 years.”
Interim operations and future plans
Trafalgar will continue to manage station operations in the interim, facilitating the return of the Chawla family and original programming that shifted online earlier this year.
Upon regulatory clearance, CJMR will operate as a multicultural station out of a new permanent studio facility in Mississauga, maintaining all conditions of the current broadcast licence.
Caine says the transaction won’t impact Whiteoaks’ other regional broadcasting operations, including a move to expand CKTB St. Catharine’s signal into Hamilton, which will continue to simulcast on 102.9 FM HD2.
He said while CJMR was temporarily removed from HD Radio during sale negotiations, the pending new owners have expressed intent to pursue an HD lineup subject to a future ISED technical filing.
First hitting the airwaves in 1974, CJMR transitioned to its 1320 AM frequency in January 1990, pivoting to a 100% ethnic format in 2001.
